We mortals take a sense of strength in fooling ourselves into believing
That we have a touch of the witches in Macbeth, that we have a degree
Of control over the Fates . . . but that is, of course, a figment. Still, we
Move on with our lives secure in the “knowledge” that we are masters
Of the universe. We even watch the weather reports believing we can
Make secure plans based on all those CGI’s and high-tech forecasts
When the truth is that we might as well be using a crystal ball or
Tarot cards or that baseball-shaped black ball that we shake for
Answers to our most intimate questions. It’s really just a game.
I took my son to a Mets game several years ago. Rain was predicted
To delay the start of the game but that was supposed to lighten in time
For the game to be played in full. I don’t recall the opposition; it didn’t
Matter. We were at another game together. We were bonding once more
As loyal Met fans and we were anticipating victory . . . but here’s the thing:
There are times forecasters get it wrong. We enjoyed ourselves,
Walking all around Shea Stadium, talking about players and checking out
The views from different angles, different heights. No one was about to
Chase us from the areas behind the dugouts or home plate – – – not in
That soaking weather. We were there to be entertained, to find our own
Amusement, passing minutes which turned into hours … because we had
Faith that the weather people knew what they were doing. It just never
Occurred to us that, computer use or not, they were human, and that
Meant they could only do their best interpreting of what they saw.
Baseball is like weather forecasting: The manager, the coaches, the
Players are presented with a set of facts and figures and then they
Make determinations about when to swing, where to play a position,
When to try to steal a base, which pitch to throw, when to bunt. It all
Comes down to pros using very human brains to do very human
Things. Those who combine the best skills with the most accurate
Anticipations win games and please their fans, who play along with
Them both mentally and vocally. In reality, we players, managers,
Fans and owners don’t control the future but it’s only human to
Believe we do, so on we play, Each game is but a puzzle whose
Solution relies on skill . . . and fortune. Don’t consider this too much;
It will cause pain.
My son and I waited for the rain to cease, as all those experts on
TV and in the papers had predicted. We stared at the tarp and the
Ever harder rain pounding down – – – until at last the game was
Called. Such are the vicissitudes of life as a baseball fan.
Or as a baseball player, coach or owner.